painting, Gem of the Forest
Report a Mistake- Date Made 1900-1977
- Event --
- Affiliation French Canadian
- Artist / Maker / Manufacturer Williamson, Richard Stanley
- Object Number 75-1162
- Place of Origin Continent - North America, Country - Canada, Province / Territory - Ontario, Municipality - Gananoque, Township / District - Leeds
- Category Communication artifacts
- Sub-category Art
- Department Folklore
- Museum CMH
- Earliest 1900/01/01
- Latest 1977/12/31
- Inscription (front/devant) GEM OF THE FOREST
- Medium oil
- Materials Wood, Plaster
- Measurements Height 152.0 cm, Width 226.0 cm, Depth 12.5 cm
- Caption Gem of the Forest, Gananoque, Ontario, early 20th century
- Additional Information Gem of the Forest must have been a popular sight at the Southern Ontario fairs where Stanley Williamson showed it, along with his other paintings and carvings. A prolific carver and painter since childhood of "all kinds of things," as his sister puts it, Mr. Williamson became a well-known tombstone carver and sign-painter in south-eastern Ontario. Combining his talents in "Gem of the Forest," the artist portrays a romanticized, yet vibrant, view of a natural environment often dreamt about but rarely experienced by Canadians - that of virgin forest, clear streams, and quiet Indian campsites.